Shoulder-brace



(No Model.)

M. F. LINQUIST.

SHOULDER BRAGE. No. 329,659. Patented Nov. 3, 1885.

UNITED STATES MAURICE F. LINQUIST, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

SHOULDER-BRACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 329,659, dated November 3, 1885.

Application filed August 31. 1885.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MAURIoE F. LINQUIST, of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Shoulder-Braces; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, lI1- Figure l, a rear view of the brace complete; Fig. 2, one of the parts detached.

This invention relates to an improvement in a device to be applied to the person to support the shoulders; and it consists in two straps arranged to cross each other in the back, the upper ends provided with straps around the respective shoulders, the lower ends with straps to pass around thewaist, the two straps at their crossing constructed each with a series of longitudinal slits, forming a corresponding series of narrow stri )s, the strips of the two straps interlaced through the respective slits, the several strips provided with a stay arranged longitudinally therein, and whereby the crossing portion of the straps becomes self-adjusting to the shape of the person or movements of the body, all as more fully hereinafter described.

The brace is composed of two parts orstraps, A B, the two parts being substantially alike, except that they are cut right and left.

One of the parts is shown detached in Fig- 2. At the upper end each part is provided with a strap, C, to surround the shoulder, and preferably with an adjusting device, as a buckle, a. Thelower end is constructed with a strap, D, adapted to surround the waist and meet the corresponding end of the other part. The two parts cross in the back, as indicated in Fig. 1. At the crossing the parts are made broad, and in them several longitudinal slits are cut, forming a series of strips, 1) b, more or less in number, both out substantially alike. These slits in each part are in length greater than the width of the other part. The several strips of the one part are interlaced with the strips of the other part through their respective slits, and so that one part crosses the other; but they are held in position by the interlacing of the strips. The slits permit the separation of the strips-that is, permit the spreading of each part-so that Serial No. 175.697. (No model.)

the crossed or supporting portion of the back will readily adapt itself by expansion or con traction to the shape of the back. This feature is avery great advantage in case of curvature of the spine or other deformity of the back or shoulders. The interlacing of the two parts permits the working of the one part in the other, to adapt itself to the movements of the body, yet without displacing either of the parts, they resuming their normal position whenever the body is upright. The interlacing permits the straps to adjust themselves to different inclinations for different size or form of the person, the two straps working as freely in this respect as if detached.

The particular devices for securing the straps around the shoulders or around the waist are immaterial to the invention, it only being necessary that the respective parts shall be provided with some connection around the shoulders and waist to give the required support. Each of the parts, at least over the slitted portion, is best made of two thicknesses, and between the thicknesses of each strip a stay of bone, steel, or other suitable material is introduced, to give a certain degree of stiffness and elasticity to the strips as an aid to the support of the back, as well as to maintainthe several strips in their proper relation to each other. The stays are indicated in broken lines. The method of applying the stays to the strips, however, is not material, it only being essential that the strips shall be provided with stays to give them the requisite stiii'ness and elasticity.

I claim The herein-described shoulder-brace, consisting of the two straps A B, each constructed at its upper end to be-sccured around the respective shoulders, and at the opposite end for engagement at the waist, the straps crossing each other at the back, each strap constructed with a series of longitudinal slits, forming a corresponding series of strips, b, the strips of the two parts interlaced through the slits in the respective parts, and the several strips provided wit-h a stay arranged longitudina-lly therein, substantially as described.

MAURICE F. LINQUIST.

IOC 

